Kongsberg to build "world's first" autonomous container ship

The vessel, which is being developed in collaboration with Norweigan fertiliser manufacturer Yara international, will be used as a feeder vessel to transport products from YARA's Porsgrunn plant to nearby shipping terminals in Brevik and Larvik.

Kongsberg, which has played a major role in wider research into autonomous shipping, will be responsible for all of the key control and monitoring technologies on-board the new vessel, including the sensors and integration required for remote and autonomous operations, in addition to the electric drive, battery and propulsion control systems.

Geir Håøy, president and CEO of Kongsberg said that the vessel will mark a major step in the development of autonomous shipping technology: "Developing systems for autonomous operations is a major opening and natural step for KONGSBERG, considering our decades of expertise in the development and integration of advanced sensors, control and communication systems for all areas of ship operations.”